Method of and means for feeding lubricant to steam-engines



w. F. STACK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG 6, 1918. I

Patented Sept. 14,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

ATTORN EY METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FEEDING LUBRICANT TO STEAM ENGINES.

WIT ESSES J r/& I-

W. F. STACK.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FEEDING LUBRICANT T0 STEAM ENGINES.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6, 1918.

1,353,081 I Pawnted Sept. 14, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY the accompanying nwrrsn snares. raiser orries.

WILLIAM FRANCIS STACK, 0F BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI.

METHOD OF AND MEANs ,FQB, FEEDING LuBaIoANr TO STEAM-ENGINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known thatl, WILLIAM F. STAoK, a

citizen of the United States, residingat Bay I and useful Method of and Means for Feed-.

ing Lubricant to Steam-Engines, ofwhich the following isa specification.

This invention has reference to the method of and means for feeding-lubricant to steam engines, and its object is to provide means whereby lubricants are more thoroughly delivered to the parts to be lubricated than heretofore.

The'invention is based upon positive feed of lubricant and positive lubrication of the steam. With the invention there is no adjustment after proper installation and although the lubricant feeding device is inside of the steam pipe it can be blown out and leaned asoften as desirable with no more effort than occurs in trying a water gage on a boiler. It is automatic, starting when the engine starts and stopping when the engine stops. When more steam is taken by the engine, there is a corresponding increase in lubrication for the reason that the device lubricates according to the amount of steam going through the steam pipe from the boiler to the engine. The structure is such that when the engine is not running there is an accumulation of oil directly back of the nozzle delivering lubricant into the steam pipe, and since, when the steam is condensed and: the oil floats on the condensed steam, the nozzle is flooded with oil, there is always an abundant supply oflubricant when the engine starts, the same as though a hand oil pump were used. After starting,

only the oil that is fed is blown into the main stream of steam and this continues so long as the engine is kept working.

The" invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with drawings forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and'modie fications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. In the drawings 1- Figure 1 is a diametric section through a Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnlggd Sept, 14 192(1 Application filed August s, 1918. Serial No. 248,582.

steam pipe and the lubricant ejecting nozzle connected therewith. Y l

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the lefthand side, the oil supply pipe being shown in cross section.

Fig. Fig. 1. I

. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the nozzle tip shown in'Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of another form of nozzle tip.

Fig. 7 is a section on Fig. 6. i

Fig. 8 is an outlineview of a locomotive engine using wet steam and showingthe invention applied.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the invention applied to a locomotive 3 is a sectlon' on the line 3-'-3 of the line 7'7 of engine of a type employing superheated a block 1 terminating at one end in an ex ternallyv threaded screw nipple 2 which may be located axially with reference to the block 1. At the other end of the block there is formed an axially located screw-socket It will be understood, however, that such particular arrangement of the parts is not obligatory.

The nipple 2 has internal screw-threads 4 into which is fitted an externally threaded neck 5 on one end of a nozzle 6, which nozzle may be of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5,"and also indicated in Figs. 8 and 10, or may have the form illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Referring first to thenozzle 6 of Fig. 1 and associated figures, this nozzle is of generally spherical form with the neck 5 projecting. from one side and provided with a straight bore 7 lengthwiseof the neck and entering the nozzle 6 to a point at or near the center thereof. The nozzle 6 is provided has suiiicient length and internal diameter 10 communicating with another passage 11. In the particular showing of the drawings the passages 10 and 11 are in right angular relation, although such particular relation is not obligatory. The end of the passage 10 stopping at the ch amber 9 is entered by one end of a short section 12 of pipe long enough to traverse tie chamber 9 and enter for a distance into the bore 7 in line with the slit 8. The passage 11 is entered by a pipe 13 which may be assumed to receive steam at boiler pressure. The pipe 13 and passage 11 may be of considerably larger diameter than the passage 10 and the pipe or nozzle 12 so that boiler pressure is maintained in the pipe 13 and passage 11 up to the nozzle or jet pipe 12 to be so delivered into the bore 7 and through the slit 8.

Extending through the block 1 from the chamber 9 to and opening into the socket 3 are passages 14: so situated as to have no communication with the passages 10 or 11. Also communicating with the chamber 9 is another passage 15 communicating with still another passage 16 to which is attached a drain pipe 17. v

Entering the socket 3 is a pipe 18 which may be assumed to be connected with a suitable supply o' lubricant. It is advisable at times to be able to cut oil the supply of steam through the pipe 13 or lubricant through the pipe 18 and ordinarily thedrain 17 is closed. For this reason the pipes 13, 17

and 18 are provided with valves 19, 20 and 21 or other means for controlling flow there-.

through, such valves being more or less diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 without any attempt to show proper location or construction.

vTnstead of employing a nozzle 6 of practically solid construction with a slit 8 in axial relation thereto, the construction shown-in Figs. 6 and 7 may be employed. The structure of F igsf 6 and 7 includes a head or nozzle 6 of hollow form a cavity or chamber 22 therein. Radiating from this chamber is a series of passages 23 in more or less circular arrangement with each passage having a relatively small end communicating with the chamber 22 and having a flaring outlet 24. The head 6 has a screw-neck 5 for entrance into the nipple 2 and this neck is provided with an interior passage 7 opening into the chamber 22. To facilitate the boring of the passages 23, one

- side of the head 6 is cut oil and is closed by a screw plug 25, as shown in Fig. 6. Instead oi so constructing the head 6 it may be otherwise formed.

In Fig. 8 there is more or less diagrammatically represented a steam boiler 26 and a cylinder 27 of a steam engine, the boiler and cylinder being connected by a steam providing pipe 28. Fig. 8 may be taken as indicative of a steam engine employing wet steam. In Fig. 9 there is indicated a boiler 26 and an engine 27? which may be taken as indicative of an engine employing superheated steam with a boiler communicating with the engine through a steam pipe 29. Whatever arrangement be employed the steam pipe 28 or 29 should be practically upright and the nipple 2 is screwed into the steam pipe so that the nozzle 6 or 6, as the case may be, is within the steam pipe in the line of steam passing therethrough but with the slit 8 or the series of passages 23 horizontally arranged, the steam cutting across the delivery end of the slit 8 or outlets 24.

When the device is properly installed and the engine is in operation, there is a continually fluctuating difference between the boiler pressure and the pressure of the steam passing through the steam pipe delivering to the engine. The boiler pressure may be taken as practically constant with the pres sure in the steam pipe varying markedly. Consequently when the pressure in the steam pipe is reduced a puff or jetot steam issues at or nearly at boiler pressure from the pipe or jet 12 and is driven into the steam passing .nrough the steam pipe, such jet of steam entering the steam in the steam pipe at substantially right angles thereto, thereby cutting the stream of steam passing to the engine and very. thoroughly intermingling therewith. Lubricant reaching the lubricating device through the pipe 18 flows through the passages 14 into the chamber 9 and accumulates therein and overflows into the chaml'ier 7 and is blown therefrom by the jet of live steam issuing from the pipe 12 and escapes through the slit 8 or passages 23 as the case may be. The resultis that the oil is very thoroughly atomized b the live steam jet and driven in such con ition into the stream of steam passing to the engine cylinder.

The steam pressure within the nozzle or spray device or head 6 quite closely approaches boiler pressure and consequently the force with which the steam and lubricant caught up thereby in the spray head and ejected through the slit 8 or expanding passages 23 will vary in accordance with the fluctuations of the steam in the steam pipe jet action-delivered into the power steam in the direction transverse to the direction of travel of such power steam further breaks up the atomized oil and'oauses amore complete-intermixture, the oil being carried on with the steam to the valves and piston of the engine, and the oil being fanned out where entering the stream of power steam so asto'reach all'parts thereof. This fanning out is due to the fan-like form of the slit 8 or series of perforations 23", whether the latter be expanded outwardly, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, or be the same size throughout.

Where wet steam is used, in which case the nozzle head 6 may be employed, there is an accumulation of condensed steam in the chamber 22 and the lubricant is floated thereon to a levelwith the fanned-out out let represented by the passages 23, the jet of steam at boiler pressure issuing from the pipe 12 blowing overthe surface of the lubricant floating upon the accumulation of water, and such jet of steam carrying lubricant with it in finely atomized condition is in turn blown out of the series of openings 23 across or perpendicularto the stream of steam feeding the engine. "\Vhen superheated steam is used the high temperature prevents any accumulation of water of condensation and-in such case the solid nozzle head (3 is employed, the bore 7 and chamber 9 permitting a small accumulation of oil up to the level of the slit 8. The stream of steam at boiler pressure issuing from the jet pipe 12 then blows across the small. accumulation of oil, picking up the latter, atomizing it and driving the steam and oil through the slit 8.

By providing a small accumulation or reservoir of oil at the nozzle head 6 or 6, such oil issubjectedto the heat of the power steam and consequently theatomization of the oil by the stream of steam is greatly facilitated. r

' When'the jet of steam at boiler pressure carrying particles ormolecules of oil with it enters the power steam, the fanned-out or divergent oil-carrying steam is at higher pressure and moves at greater velocitythan the power steam,- especially when such power steam is moving into the cylinder, thereby reducing the pressure of such steam. This permits a distribution of the lubricant through the power steam until finally the pressures equalize; At first the particles of lubricant pass from the steam entering the steam pipe through the ejecting nozzleand are caught up'by the particles of steam in the power stream of steam. sures equalize the exchange of lubricant ceases and thereafter the lubricant becomes deposited upon fixed surfaces of the pipes,

the valves, the cylinder walls, etc.

As the pressurfaces, such as the' The provision of a surface or table located within the steam pipe with such surface practically level, is an important feature of the invention, the level of the oil being on a level with the bottom surface of the slit 8 or orifices 23, and from such point the 'oil or lubricant is blown over suchtable, which latter, being at a high temperature, makes the breakingup process or atomization of I the oil highly efficient. The atomization takes place at practically the point Where the oil is driven into the stream of power steam.

The orifice represented by the slit 8 or passages 23 is in effect'an expanding or divergent orifice of substantially fan-like shape and small height allowing a sponding expansion of steam passing through it. This feature contributes to the thorough cleansing of the device from obstructions, since on closing the valves 19 and 21 and opening the valve-20 steam-maybe blown from the main steam pipe backwardly through the nozzle or spraying head and out through the drain pipe, thus dis lodging any obstructions liable to choke the passages. i

The arrangeme t has the advantage of working, in the case of a locomotive or similar throttle cngine,, even after steam 'is shut 05 at the throttle. This assures a thorough'lubrication of the engine when the latter is only operating intermittently.

corre- To get the advantage ofefiiciency ofthe V spray, the position of'the'spray outlet must always be substantiallyhorizontalor on a level, and if'the steam pipe is-not vertical, the device mustbe placed in the steam pipe in the same manner as itwould be placed in a vertical pipe. i f

The differential pressure of the stream of steam passing through the pipe '13, over the supply of lubricant and into the power stream of steam flowing to the engine, is obtained by taking the first-named stream of steam from a point where the steam pressure is sufficiently higher than that of the power steam passing through thepipe- -29 to cause the lubricant-laden steam tocut the power stream of steam with a force to cause the lubricant carriedby the steamQ to thoroughly atomize and commin'gle with-the power steam; 'This may be acc'omplished 'by having thestreamof steam passing over the Y steam is projected into the power'steam passing through the pipe 29.

What is claimed is l. The method of lubricating the valves and pistons of steam engines, which consists in causing a stream of steam to flow over a body of lubricant to absorb lubricant therefrom and then projecting the lubricantladen stream of steam into the power steam feeding the engine, with the pressure of the first-named stream of steam su'fliciently greater than that of the power stream of steam to cause the lubricant-laden steam to cut the power steam passing to the engine and thereby cause the lubricant to thoroughly atomize and commingle with the power steam.

2. The method of lubricating the valves and pistons of steam engines, which consists in causing steam at boiler pressure from, the live steam space of the boiler to flow over the surface and absorb lubricant from a body thereof and then flow into the steam pipe feeding. the engine, with the lubricant-carrying stream of steam entering the power steam passing to the engine at substantially right angles to the flow of such steam and spreading out in a substantially horizontal plane.

3. The method of lubricating the valves and pistons of steam engines, which consists in providing a reservoir of lubricant within the stream of power steam flowing to the engine, and causing a stream of steam from the live'steam space of the boiler at boiler pressure to flowover the surface of the lubricant within the reservoir and then into the stream of power steam in a substantially horizontal plane and'at substantially right angles to the flow of steam to the engine where such flow is entered by the lubricant.

4. The method of lubricating the valves and pistons of steam engines, which consists in establishing a body of lubricant within the course of power steam to the engine and causing a stream of steam at boiler pressure from the live. steam space of the boiler to flow over the body of lubricant within the stream of power steam to absorb lubricant from said body of lubricant and then projecting the lubricant-laden stream of steam into the power stream of steam at substantially right angles to the flow of the latter.

5. Means for feeding lubricant into a power stream of steam flowing through a steam pipe to a part to be lubricated, comprising a body member with ducts for lubricant and for steam at boiler pressure coming from the live steam space of the boiler, said body member having a nozzle for insertion in the power steam pipe into interposing relation to the power steam flowing through said steampipe and said nozzle being provided within the power steam pipe with a lubricant reservoir and a level outlet of fan-like spread for the steam located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the flow of power steam through the steam pipe, whereby the stream of steam at boiler pressure will flow over the lubricant in the nozzle within the steam pipe and gather lubricant therefrom and ultimately spread out from the nozzle into cutting relation to the flow of power steam through the steam pipe.

6. Means for feeding lubricant into steam flowing through a steam pipe to a part to be lubricated, comprising a body member with a hollow screw nipple at one end for introduction into the steam pipe, a spray ing head carried by the nipple and, when installed, being wholly within the steam pipe and defining a chamber within the nipple, said head having a fan-like outlet substantially level in the installed position, means for directing steam at boiler pressure from the live steam space of the boiler over lubricant in the chamber and thence through the outlet, and means for feeding lubricant to the chamber in the nipple to the level of the outlet.

7. Means for'feeding lubricant into steam flowing through a steam pipe to a part to be lubricated, comprising a body member with duct for leading lubricant and steam at boiler pressure thereto, said steam coming from the live steam space of the boiler, a nozzle carried by the body member and arranged for location within the steam pipe and having a fanned-out opening arranged horizontally in the installed position and perpendicular to the flow of steam through the steam pipe, whereby lubricant -laden steam is forced into the steam flowing through the steam pipe in cutting relation to such steam. V

8. Means for feeding lubricant into steam flowing through a steam pipe to apart to be lubricated, comprising a device for atta'chment to the steam pipe and including a nozzle for location within the steam pipe, said nozzle having an orifice of relatively considerable lateral spread and relatively small height and, in the installed position, being arranged horizontally and perpendicular to the flow of steam through the steam pipe, said device being provided with a reservoir for lubricant for an accumulation of the lat ter to the level of'the orifice and also provided with means for directing a jet of steam, at substantially boiler pressure and coming from the live steam space of the boiler, over the accumulation of lubricant and through the orifice into the steam pipe.

9. Means for feeding lubricant into steam flowing through a steam pipe to a part to be lubricated, comprising a body member with a screw nipple at one end and a screw socket at the other end, and a spraying nozzle chamber therein, the nozzle being provided with a relatively thin diverging outlet located horizontally in the installed position of the nozzle, and said body member having a lubricant duct communicating with the chamber in the nipple end of the body member and a steam duct for connection to the live steam space of the boiler and discharging through the outlet of the nozzle at substantially boiler pressure.

10. Means for feeding lubricant into steam flowing through a steam pipe to a part. to be lubricated, comprising a body member with a screw nipple at one end for introduction into a steam pipe, a nozzle entering the screw nipple and provided with a head having a relatively thin laterally expanded outlet for location horizontally in the installed position, and a pipe entering the head in line with the outlet, said body member having therein a chamber back of the head, a passage communicating with the second-named pipe and another passage distinct from the first-named passage and communicating with the chamber.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

'WILfLIAM FRANCIS STACK; 

